After months of leaks and rumours, Apple has officially taken the wraps off its 2021 iPhones, and as expected, we're getting four brand new devices: the iPhone 13 mini, the iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are your "standard" devices, featuring bigger batteries, better cameras, and a faster A15 processor. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max add to this with a third camera, a 120Hz ProMotion display, and the option to go as large as 1TB. As with last year, all four iPhone 13 models have 5G connectivity.
Apple has held firm when it comes to iPhone 13 pricing, but has finally killed off the entry-level 64GB model, making the standard devices better value than last year. The iPhone 13 mini starts at $1,199, while moving up to the iPhone 13 will set you back $1,349. The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $1,699, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro Max asking price is a minimum of $1,849. Pricing tops out a $2,719 for a 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of what's new, here's the important stuff. All four iPhone 13 devices will be available for pre-order from 10pm AEST on September 17 ahead of a September 24 release date. Apple isn't doing a staggered launch this year.
iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini are "standard" iPhones, succeeding last year's iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini.
While the pair have the same 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch screens that we saw last year, Apple has shrunk notch size by 20%, giving you slightly more screen real estate on either side. There is however new display technology under the hood; Apple says this makes it 28% brighter while also improving power efficiency.
In terms of camera, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini both feature two rear-facing cameras: a 12MP primary lens and 12MP ultra-wide lens. The 12MP primary lens is the same kind of camera we saw on last year's iPhone 12 Pro Max, featuring better stabilisation and a larger sensor size. This especially helps with low light performance; Apple says it gathers 47% more light. The new ultra-wide lens also touts better low light.
Apple has added a new "Cinematic" video mode that helps create professional focus transitions. For example, it can anticipate when a subject enters the frame, or change focus when your subject gazes at something else. You can also tap to shift focus at any time, or lock focus on a subject.
Inside you'll find an A15 processor. Apple says this is 50% faster than the "leading competition" in terms of CPU and 30% faster in graphics performance, both of which are a tad meaningless figures without naming and shaming. Apple hasn't detailed year-on-year gains when compared to the A14 in the iPhone 12.
Battery life is also better across the board. Apple says the last iPhone 13 mini will last 1.5 hours more than the iPhone 12 mini, while the iPhone 13 will last 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12.
iPhone 13 pricing is as follows:
- iPhone 13 mini 128GB: $1,199
- iPhone 13 mini 256GB: $1,369
- iPhone 13 mini 512GB: $1,719
- iPhone 13 128GB: $1,349
- iPhone 13 256GB: $1,519
- iPhone 13 512GB: $1,869
You'll be able to buy either in a choice of pink, blue, midnight, starlight, and red.
iPhone 13 Pro & iPhone 13 Pro Max
As with the standard iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max both feature a 20% smaller notch, both the same style 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch display last year. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max screens do however stand out from their less professional brethren thanks to a high refresh rate ProMotion display.
A typical screen has a 60Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 13 Pro duo can crank this up to 120Hz when necessary for smoother motion. This style of screen has been used in iPad Pros for a couple of years now, and has become a common feature in Android phones. While high refresh rate displays can be more demanding on battery, the ProMotion display has a variable refresh rate, so it can also dial down as low as 10Hz if you're not interacting with your phone.
In a first for Apple, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have an entirely unique camera setup when compared to the standard iPhone 13. Both the primary and ultra-wide cameras have a wider aperture, which will further improve low light performance. These are joined by a 3x optical zoom lens. The Pro models also feature a unique macro mode that can shoot subjects as close as 2cm. Apple calls these its "biggest camera advancement ever".
The iPhone 13 Pro cameras are also joined by a LiDAR sensor. This is said to improve autofocus in lowlight, reduce capture time in dark environments, and assist with augmented reality applications.
You'll also get the same Cinematic video features you'll find on the iPhone 13, but the Pro models can also refocus video after you shoot it.
Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max boast battery improvements. Apple says the iPhone 13 Pro will last 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro, while the iPhone 13 Pro Max will last 2.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. This makes the iPhone 13 Pro Max the longest lasting iPhone to date.
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are available in a choice of graphite, silver, gold, or sierra blue. Pricing is as follows:
- iPhone 13 Pro 128GB: $1,699
- iPhone 13 Pro 256GB: $1,869
- iPhone 13 Pro 512GB: $2,219
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB: $2,569
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB: $1,849
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB: $2,019
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 512GB: $2,369
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB: $2,719
Here's how the four 2021 iPhone models compare:
iPhone 13 specifications
| iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 13 | iPhone 13 Pro | iPhone 13 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Super Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 2x 12MP | 2x 12MP | 3x 12MP + LiDAR | 3x 12MP + LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Processor | A15 | A15 | A15 | A15 |
| Storage | 128GB - 512GB | 128GB - 512GB | 128GB - 1TB | 128GB - 1TB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 |
IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5G | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 |
| Price | From $1,199 | From $1,349 | From $1,699 | From $1,849 |
Old iPhone price cuts
The iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 mini are all sticking around, and have received a discount. New pricing for Apple's existing iPhone line-up is as follows:
- iPhone 11 64GB: $849
- iPhone 11 128GB: $929
- iPhone 12 mini 64GB: $999
- iPhone 12 mini 128GB: $1,079
- iPhone 12 mini 256GB: $1,249
- iPhone 12 64GB: $1,199
- iPhone 12 128GB: $1,279
- iPhone 12 256GB: $1,449
All these phones should come down in price on a plan too.
Notably, Apple has discontinued the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, but we're expecting to see stock floating around for a little while yet. It's also discontinued the iPhone XR.
Alex Choros
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